With their phenomenal success dating from the 1950s, Matchbox toys have been enjoyed by several generations of children and adults. Lesney was a British manufacturing company that introduced its die-cast miniature models of cars, machinery and various types of toys in the late 1940s. Matchbox received its first wide recognition for the miniaturized version of a coronation coach that sold over one million pieces in 1953. The Matchbox brand became noted for its packaging of small models into match-size boxes. Interestingly, the design was inspired by the Norvic box produced by Czechoslovakia’s SOLO Sušice match manufacturer. The Matchbox 1–75 series was soon followed by further product lines that innovated and varied the vehicles’ designs: there were the Superfast race sets with their improved structural properties, lines of larger-size models of construction and agricultural machinery (Major Packs and King Size) and, last but not least, the vintage Models of Yesteryear range made as adults’ collectibles.
These models were extremely popular in Czechoslovakia due to their extraordinary precision and recreation of the originals down to the smallest details, as well as their functionality, durability and bright colours. The exhibition presents nearly 1,500 models ranging from the first toys manufactured in the late forties and early fifties to vintage models made quite recently. Intended for audiences of every age and walk of life, the objects have been installed in a way that they can be viewed both as children’s toys and as collectors’ items.